Some best first lines use strong emotions. Take 'He opened the letter and his world fell apart.' This immediately makes the reader concerned and eager to find out what was in the letter. It creates an emotional connection right away. They also might introduce a unique character or situation. Like 'The man who sold the moon was not a very likable man.' This makes you curious about this person who could sell the moon and why he's not likable. It grabs your attention and makes you want to keep reading.
Well, they often present something unexpected. For example, a first line like 'She woke up one morning and found she had become invisible.' It makes you want to know how and why. It creates an instant mystery.
First lines can hook the reader by setting an intense mood. Such as 'The gunshots echoed through the empty street.' The sudden violence and the emptiness of the street draw the reader in. They start to imagine the scene and want to know more about what's going on. What led to the gunshots? Who is involved? These are the questions that pop into the reader's mind. This is how a strong first line can really get the reader engaged in the short story.
They also set the mood. If the first line has a dreamy or passionate tone, it gives the reader an idea of what kind of romance to expect. For example, a line like 'The first time he saw her, the world seemed to stop spinning.' immediately gives a sense of a powerful, instant attraction. This draws the reader in as they are eager to see how this intense feeling will develop. In addition, the first lines can introduce a conflict or an obstacle related to love right away. Such as 'She knew she could never love him, not with the secret she held in her heart.' This creates a sense of tension that makes the reader curious about how the characters will overcome this and find love.
They can also set an unusual mood. Take the line 'The fog crept in on little cat feet, but it brought a sense of dread with it.' The description of the fog combined with the sense of dread draws the reader in. They want to know more about this setting and what will happen because of this mood. Moreover, first lines that introduce a unique character can hook the reader. Like 'There was a girl who could see the future in her dreams, but she wished she couldn't.' This makes the reader interested in this girl's story, her powers, and her wish not to have them.
By creating intrigue. For instance, 'The letter in her hand held a secret that could change her life and her relationship forever.' This makes the reader wonder what's in the letter and how it will impact her life. Simple as that.
They create mystery. For instance, a first line like 'She was found dead in the attic, but no one knew how she got there.' It makes the reader want to find out what happened. Mystery drives the reader to keep reading to solve the puzzle.
They create mystery. For example, like the first line in 'The Hunger Games'. A cold bed makes you wonder what happened, and this mystery makes you keep reading to find out. Simple as that.
They create mystery. For example, a line like 'In a dark, forgotten corner of the old house, something stirred.' makes the reader wonder what that something is. It's simple yet effective in making the reader want to know more.
They create mystery. For example, like in the first line of 'The Great Gatsby' - 'In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since.' It makes you wonder what that advice was and why it has stayed with the narrator for so long.
They often create intrigue. For example, a first line that poses a question or presents a mystery makes the reader want to find out more. If it starts with something like 'She saw him across the crowded room, but she knew there was something different about him that she couldn't quite put her finger on...' It makes you wonder what that difference is and how it will play into the love story.
They create mystery. Take 'All children, except one, grow up' from 'Peter Pan'. It makes you wonder which child didn't grow up and why. This mystery makes the reader keep reading to find out.